Thoughts in a Haystack

Okay, this story has a certain charm as well as being potentially important to science education in America.

Tom Sawyer may run for the Ohio State Board of Education.

No, not that Tom Sawyer. This Tom Sawyer was formerly the mayor of Akron and an eight term congressman. He is being courted by the scientific community in Ohio to oppose an incumbent who has been a leader in the "critical analysis" scam against the proper teaching of evolutionary theory in Ohio public schools.

Tom Sawyer's potential opponent isn't Injun Joe, though ... her name, which would have probably tickled Twain, is Deborah Owens Fink. Fink is a University of Akron marketing professor. A supporter of hers expressed surprise that Sawyer was being asked to run.

However, it has apparently escaped Lattimer's notice that "[i]n July, a version of the disputed language resurfaced and is expected to be debated at next month's board meeting." The election may come too late for that, but the continuing effort to inject creationism into the state's public schools is more than enough reason for the scientific community and anyone else interested in the good education of America's future leaders to seek to oust those who would use taxpayer money to advance sectarian causes.

Whitewash belongs on fences, not creationism.